It was an entertaining and educative day as theatre enthusiasts gathered at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City, Edo State capital, to celebrate World Theatre Day.
The event, themed “Theatre: A Culture of Peace”, was organized by the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Tourism in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).
The event, which was attended by dignitaries including the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, and the Commissioner for Education, Joan Osa-Oviawe, represented by Mr. Edwin Osawe, was a resounding success, showcasing the immense talent and creativity within the local theatre community and among creatives of Edo origin.
Exuding a rich, colourful cultural aura, the event was filled with breathtaking performances that left the audience in awe. For instance, the was Omoreghie Deborah who captivated hearts with her powerful spoken word piece on “Peace”, while a ballet dance by Moonlight Academy mesmerized with its grace and elegance.
NANTAP thereafter took the stage with an engaging playlet that showcased the depth of storytelling in theatre. Additionally, special students from Home Made College stole the show with their heartfelt rendition of the Edo Anthem.
The celebration also included an interactive session with a panel of theatre experts on the topic, “Theatre for a Sustainable Future: Unveiling Nigeria’s Creative Economy”. The panel discussed the future of theatre and its sustainability. The panellists, who included four creatives, emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent and creating opportunities for growth within the theater community. They also highlighted the need for collaboration between theatre artists, the government, and the private sector to support the development of theatre as an art form.
There was a drama competition by students from different secondary schools in Edo State. The presentations were evaluated by a total of seven judges who graded the competition on several criteria that included performance quality, storytelling, costume, running time, diction and others.
At the end of the beautiful performances, Benin Technical College was announced the winner, Oredo Girls Grammar School came second, and Edokpolor Grammar School came in third place. Special recognition was given to Ogbe Secondary School which took the fourth position. Oba Ewuare Secondary School came fifth, Eghosa Grammar School came sixth, Imaguero College came seventh, while St. Mary’s Grammar School took the eighth position.
The head judge, Mr. Davidson, also announced winners of different categories. Best in Costume went to Imaguero College, Best in Acting went to Benin Technical College, Oredo Girls won Best in Singing, while Best in Instrumentation went to Benin Technical College.
The World Theatre Day was not only a celebration of the present but also an inspiration for the future. The event came to a close with a vote of thanks given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism. Attendees left with a renewed sense of pride in the local theatre scene and a commitment to continue supporting and promoting the art culture.
The success of this year’s celebration sets the stage for an even brighter future for theatre in Edo State.
